Sustainable Madison seeks to protect environment

MADISON - Saving Madison money through sustainable actions is the goal of the newly formed Sustainable Madison Committee, which met last Wednesday in the Committee Room at Hartley Dodge Memorial building to discuss a range of topics from anti-idling on school grounds to the community garden at the Madison Recreation Center and composting.

Chairwoman Betsy Uhlman noted that the Borough Council passed a resolution at the Borough Council meeting on Monday that supports the adoption of anti-idling zone measures by government agencies, schools, businesses and other organizations.

However, it was agreed that enforcement would be difficult and it was unclear whether anti-idling signs were posted at the district’s five schools.

Board of Education President Lisa Ellis said she would e-blast the resolution to the schools, Uhlman said.

Borough Engineer Robert Vogel commented on the success of the Community Garden subcommittee, which has received a Walmart grant.

“Every plot is rented, and there’s a waiting list.

“It’s astounding how much participation they’ve gotten,” Vogel said.

Efforts are also under way to develop safer right-of-ways for pedestrians, especially on streets with high traffic counts, in conjunction with the Traffic Calming Committee, Vogel said.

The committee agreed that it was important to develop safe routes to schools and other locations.

Vogel said he would reach out to former Mayor Ellwood “Woody” Kerkeslager, who had done a walk-ability study several years ago. A bike rack plan is being implemented, with phase one completed, Vogel said. He noted information is available on the borough website, www.rosenet.org.

Carbon foot prints for businesses and residential areas were also discussed. Asked about improvements on Ridgedale Avenue, Vogel said a state grant was approved. Mid-block signage is needed, he said, and should be in place by late spring. Other improvements to the street are also in the works, which can be seen on the borough’s website under engineering.

Sustainable Madison will participate in Bottle Hill Day on Oct. 6, sharing space with the Environmental Commission. Uhlman said one goal would be to attract more volunteers and to share the status of projects for the coming year.

“We have high hopes that we can continue to save Madison money and take sustainable actions,” Uhlman said.

“We are shooting for silver - the next step in the Sustainable Jersey certification process - and will apply in July.

“We definitely need volunteers to make it happen,” she said.

A survey will be sent to Madison residents for input on other sustainable ideas. There was also discussion of meeting with the Downtown Development Commission to support Green Business Recognition, bicycle racks and other initiatives. Resident Maureen Byrne noted that the DDC had installed energy efficient lighting at the train station.

The Sustainable Madison Committee will meet again on Nov. 14.

Sustainability involves “the three P’s”: prosperity or supporting the local economy, planet or managing the environment responsibly and people or embracing social equity.

Building on the success of Madison2020 in achieving bronze certification by Sustainable Jersey two years ago, the committee, formed by borough ordinance in June, includes borough and school district officials as well as residents.

“Volunteers who bring ideas, energy and knowledge to the effort are critical, because they reach out to the many organizations already engaged in sustainable actions, including our downtown businesses - which is the reason Madison will continue to be such a great place to live,” Uhlman said.

“We especially would like to involve students, their parents and our schools.

“People should feel free to come forward with projects they are passionate about, that support our goals,” Uhlman said.

Additional projects identified by the committee are recycling programs, rain gardens, and a Complete Streets policy, that ensures that transportation planners and engineers consistently design and operate the entire roadway with all users in mind - including bicyclists, public transportation vehicles and riders, and pedestrians of all ages and abilities.

Sustainable Madison would like to revisit the Green Forum, a meeting of Madison organizations involved with the environment or open space sponsored by the Shade Tree Management Board a few years ago, to talk as a community about our vision of Madison.

The Sustainable Madison committee encourages organizations to review the program suggestions on www.sustainablejersey.com for ideas from other New Jersey communities.

“Madison applied for two levels of grants from Sustainable Jersey this summer to aid the community garden,” said Stephan Stocker, a member of the Community Garden Committee and the Environmental Commission, who successfully secured matching grants for earlier energy-and cost-saving measures in municipal buildings.

“Leveraging our efforts with Sustainable Jersey grants is a tremendous benefit of participating in the program,” he said.

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